Bait Catcher

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14 Jun 2007 |

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This shot dates from the end of May, on a beautiful evening when the late light was doing all sorts of wonderful things. I've already uploaded a couple of other shots from the same time (the Sea Scouts deck here at Shutterchance, and a somewhat experimental landscape over at Blipfoto.

There really is something quite magical about the light at this time of the day at this time of the year (this particular shot is time-stamped at 7.52 pm). Even though it was slightly hazy, the low sun was doing very special things and transforming the mundane into the wonderful. This industrious individual was digging for bait at low tide at the Bull Wall in Dollymount on the north side of Dublin. The fact that he has two buckets possibly suggests that he had high hopes of a good haul.

Actually, of course, I'm merely assuming that bait was what was being looked for. Perhaps he was on the hunt for mussels? Or something else? I guess it's obvious I'm no expert.

I imagine that without that magical light it could look rather bleak. Good catch!

Jimbo: The Bull Wall can certainly be a bleak place at bad weather, and it's not the most attractive when the tide's out. On a sunny summer day, or with glorious evening light like this, though, it's a great place to be.

I love the contrast between the man engaged in a probably centuries old pastime with the industry across the river. All the best, Dave

Jimbo: Cheers Dave. Actually, that's an estuary, part of Dublin Bay. It's very, very tidal as you can see. Swimming off the Bull Wall was a really popular activity up to about fifteen years ago. EU clean-water regulations changed all that, though there are still some stalwart souls who act as if nothing has changed.